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White Russian Recipe: 16 Delightful Creamy Cocktail Variations


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White Russian - two words that can be associated with “sophisticated” and “intimidating”, respectively. Yes, it is a sophisticated drink but not scary to consume. It fact, it can be a comfort drink. The Kahlua and cream give it a nice smooth and decadent texture and they both compensate for the vodka’s strong flavor. It’s just like a cup of joe but has something more to offer: booze, which always seems to excite people. You can also think of it as an adult version of a milkshake, though technically it’s not shaken. Its preparation is just the same as making iced coffee. This cocktail didn’t originate in Russia as the name would suggest. “Russian” is just used to represent the vodka, which originated in Russia.

The White Russian was invented by a bartender named Gustave Tops back in 1949 at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. It garnered recognition but then became a blur until the movie “The Big Lebowski” came out which basically reignited it. If you have seen the movie which was released in 1998, then you would know that the White Russian is prominently featured there, as the main character, Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski preferred this drink to which he called “Caucasian”. This was also the time when the cocktail had a surge of popularity. With simple ingredients and simple steps, you can easily make this spectacular cocktail and indulge in it anytime, anywhere. And if you can’t get enough of it, fret not! There are plenty of ways to make this cool drink, some might be more elevated. But, whatever version you’re trying, the foundation here will surely not disappoint.

White Russian Variations

1. Classic White Russian

 

Ah yes, nothing can beat the classic. They say that the White Russian is made with equal portions of the 3 ingredients but some like to have alterations on the measurement depending on their taste.

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. Fill an old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  2. Pour in the vodka and Kahlua.
  3. Top it off with the cream.

2. Salted Caramel White Russian


White Russian on the rocks with salted caramel is pure delight. It’s more on the sweet side so, a treat for all those who have a sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. In a blender, pour the milk, vodka, and salted caramel. Blend them up.
  2. Put ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Pour in the Kahlua.
  3. Add the milk mixture.
  4. Top it off with whipped cream and drizzle some caramel sauce.

3. Peanut Butter White Russian

 

Haven’t had enough of the salted caramel version? This spinoff features the rich taste of peanut butter and we all know that peanut butter goes well with milk but add coffee and vodka to that? You’re in for a treat.

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. Blend the milk, vodka, and peanut butter in a blender.
  2. In an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes, pour in the Kahlua.
  3. Add the milk mixture. Stir with a bar spoon.
  4. Garnish the glass with a peanut butter cup.

4. Pumpkin Pie White Russian

 

 Pumpkin, spice, and everything nice! This cocktail is perfect to have for fall since this drink accentuates pumpkin which is generally associated with fall.

Ingredients:

 For the Pumpkin Spice Creamer:

To assemble the cocktail:

Instructions to make:

  1. To make the pumpkin spice creamer, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer until they’ve all incorporated. Set aside to cool.
  2. Rim an old-fashioned glass with maple syrup and crushed biscuit. Fill it with ice cubes.
  3. Pour in the vodka and Kahlua. Add the pumpkin spice creamer. Stir with a bar spoon.

 5. Cold Foam White Russian

 

As the name implies, this White Russian has a foamy and creamy top that quite resembles a cup of cappuccino, a cold cappuccino, that is. It’s simple, yet elegant.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Natrel Skimmed Milk
  • Ice cubes
  • 35 ml Tito’s vodka
  • 45 ml Kahlua
  • Coffee beans (for garnish)

Instructions to make:

  1. Blend the skimmed milk with 2 ice cubes in a blender until it becomes foamy.
  2. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  3. Pour the vodka and Kahlua into the glass. Stir with a bar spoon.
  4. Top it off with foamed milk.
  5. Add about 3 coffee beans on top for garnish.

  6. Cookies and Cream White Russian

 

Sounds a bit of a detour from cocktails, but this variation is actually really good. It makes you think of cookies and cream ice cream, only, it has booze in it, so adults can have fun too!

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. In a shaker glass, crush 2 Oreos.
  2. Add ice cubes, vodka, Kahlua, and milk. Shake them up with a shaker.
  3. Rim an old- fashioned glass with honey and crushed Oreos. Fill with ice cubes.
  4. Pour in the mixture and garnish with a whole oreo.

 7. Chocolate White Russian

 

White Russian meets chocolate. Chocolate is one of the best food to indulge in and to add that with one of the most classic cocktails ever? DIVINE.

Ingredients:

For the chocolate sauce:

To assemble the cocktail:

  • 15 ml chocolate sauce
  • 40 ml Tito’s vodka
  • 25 ml Kahlua
  • 40 ml Double Cream
  • Shaved Hershey’s Chocolate
  • Ice cubes

Instructions to make:

  1. In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the chocolate sauce and bring to a simmer until it thickens a bit. Set aside to cool.
  2. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes. Pour in the made chocolate sauce, vodka, Kahlua, and cream. Stir with a bar spoon.
  3. Top with shaved chocolate for garnish.

 8. Vegan White Russian

 

Something as good as the White Russian can’t be limited to a few people, it should be enjoyed by everyone. Since this drink calls for cream, it doesn’t mean vegans can’t have it. There is a special version intended for them so they too can enjoy it.  

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. Drizzle chocolate syrup to the inside edges of a Rocks glass.
  2. Fill it with ice cubes. Pour in the other ingredients and stir with a bar spoon.

9. Coconut White Russian

 

A White Russian that has a hint of beach scenery, this version features coconut milk instead of cream that gives it a more natural flavor and makes you want to take this drink to the beach.

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. Fill a rounded glass with ice cubes. Pour in the vodka and Kahlua.
  2. Top with coconut milk. Stir with a bar spoon.  

10. Butterscotch White Russian

 

Similar to the Caramel White Russian, the Butterscotch White Russian has pretty much the same ingredients but it is added with butterscotch schnapps to really enhance that flavor.

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. Crush some butterscotch candies. Rim an old-fashioned glass with crushed candy and caramel syrup.
  2. Fill it with ice cubes. Add the remaining ingredients.

11. The Dude’s Delight

The Dude sure likes his White Russians and he’ll like this elevated version even more. This drink is frothy, very creamy, light, and, well, yeah, a pure delight.

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. Fill a shaker with all the ingredients. Add ice cubes.
  2. Shake them up for about 10 seconds.
  3. Pour the mixture into a coupe glass.
  4. Sprinkle cocoa powder on top for garnish.

 12. The Dude Abides

This name certainly connects to the movie itself. Although it calls for more ingredients than the regular White Russian, all of them will be worth it because they make a splendid concoction with a hint of heat to it.  

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 glass of Keegan’s Mother’s Milk dark beer
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/4 oz. Nocello walnut liqueur  
  • 1/4 oz. Monin Honey Syrup
  • .5 oz. Ancho Reyes chile liqueur
  • 1 oz.  coffee-infused vodka (1 cup Colombia coffee grounds and 4 cups of Smirnoff vodka)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions to make:

  1. Start by infusing your vodka with coffee grounds using an ICO dispenser. It calls for two Blue Flag nitrous chargers.
  2. Strain the infused vodka using a sieve and a coffee filter. Set aside.
  3. Pour dark beer into an old fashioned glass and set aside.
  4. In a shaker, add the egg white, walnut liqueur, honey syrup, chile liqueur, and the coffee-infused vodka. Dry shake them. Dry shaking is when you shake a cocktail without adding ice, usually when the egg white is among the ingredients.
  5. In a separate shaker, add ice cubes and pour in the mixture. Shake again.
  6. Grab your glass of beer and float the mixture by pouring it over a sieve.

13. The Naughty Dog

 

 It sounds a bit weird and off for a cocktail but its taste will surely make you forget all about its name. This is a very cool drink that is kind of like a combination of a Colorado Bulldog and a White Russian.

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. In a Collins glass, pour in the Kahlua and rum.
  2. Add Ice cubes and pour in the root beer.
  3. Top it off with heavy cream and stir with a bar spoon.
  4. Grate some fresh nutmeg for garnish.

 14. White Russian Float

 

This version will have your child and adult sides mingling together as this drink elevates a White Russian drink into a creamy float. It is a spectacular dessert beverage that you can for a fancy brunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

Instructions to make:

  1. Fill a shaker with vodka, cream, and ice cubes. Shake.
  2. Scoop vanilla ice cream into a cocktail glass. Pour in the mixture.
  3. Top it off with coffee liqueur.

 15. Chai White Russian

 

This beverage where alcohol meets tea is sublime and can make a great dinner drink. The coffee liqueur is replaced with tea and it gives the drink all those natural flavors - a twist on a classic.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tea Forte tea bag
  • 2 oz. Bacardi white rum
  • 1 oz. simple syrup
  • 2 oz. International Delight light cream
  • Ice cubes

Instructions to make:

  1. In a stemless cocktail glass, pour the rum and soak the teabag. Let the two infuse.
  2. Add the simple syrup and ice cubes.
  3. Pour in the cream.

16. Baileys White Russian

 

Irish and Russian in one drink? Seems interesting, doesn’t it? This cocktail has all of the ingredients required to make a White Russian but to that, add Baileys Irish cream, and it’s a whole new experience.

Ingredients:

  • 30 ml Baileys Cream
  • 30 ml Smirnoff Vodka
  • 20 ml Kahlua
  • 40 ml Organic Valley Whole Milk
  • Cherry and Mint (for garnish)
  • Crushed Ice

Instructions to make:

  1. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice.
  2. Pour in the Baileys, vodka, and Kahlua. Stir with a bar spoon.
  3. Top with milk.
  4. Garnish with a cherry and mint.

Other Easy 3- Ingredient Drinks

The White Russian is very easy to make with very few ingredients required. There are also other tasty drinks that can be made with only three ingredients. Check them out here!

Jameson Whiskey Irish  Coffee

Another cocktail that’s on the sweet side that you ought to try is the Jameson Whiskey Irish Coffee. When you try it, you might remember the White Russian because of their similarities but you will also realize that this drink also shines on its own.

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